Police, community and calendar briefs for June 14, 2013

A 47-year-old Morriston man was killed Wednesday night in a two-vehicle crash in Levy County.

Brian Rodgers died at the scene of the crash, according to a Florida Highway Patrol media release.

Trooper J. Hoover reported that a four-door 1993 Cadillac, driven by 41-year-old Janelle Kelly, of Williston, was southbound on State Road 121, while Rodgers was driving a 2001 Pontiac van north on the same road.

For an unknown reason, the Cadillac crossed the center line and collided with the van.

Rodgers was pronounced dead by a Levy County Emergency Management Services official. Kelly was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center in serious condition.

The 10:51 p.m. accident occurred on SR 121 about a mile south of County Road 464.

Man with dementia reported missing

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is seeking assistance locating William Weber Koenig, 90, of Dunnellon, who they say suffers from the early stages of dementia.

It is believed that Koenig left his home between 6 a.m. and noon Wednesday and could be traveling to St. Simons, Ga., to visit his girlfriend, who suffers from severe Alzheimer’s, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Koenig’s home was checked and deputies found his checkbook and credit cards on the kitchen counter, but his car, a white 2002 Chrysler Concorde with Florida tag UFV0Z, was missing.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies confiscated two loaded weapons, cash, marijuana and drug paraphernalia after capturing a man who fled from them in Marion Oaks.

Members of the Tactical Investigations Unit were on patrol when they saw a drug transaction between two people in vehicles. They attempted to stop a Honda Accord in the 13600 block of Marion Oaks Boulevard, but the driver — later identified as Anthony Alexander Bingham, 22 — sped away.

Bingham lost control of the car, which hit another vehicle at the intersection of Southwest 34th Terrace Road and Southwest 39th Court Road. Medical personnel were called to attend to the driver and passenger of the second vehicle. Bingham was taken into custody.

Inside the Honda, officers found a loaded 9 mm handgun and a Tech-9 semi-automatic 9 mm with 33 rounds in the magazine. Each weapon had a round in the chamber. They also found a black backpack that contained $275 in cash, 50 grams of marijuana, a digital scale and plastic baggies used to distribute marijuana, according to reports.

Bingham faces several charges, including aggravated fleeing with injuries, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

Police looking for robbery suspects

Ocala police are seeking two men accused of robbing a man in the downtown area late Tuesday.

Officers were called to Starbucks at 36 S. Magnolia Ave., where the victim told them he was walking on Southwest Fort King Street and texting on his cellphone when a man punched him in the face and he fell to the ground and another man took his wallet and stepped on his face.

The victim described one man as possibly Hispanic, with a goatee, who was wearing a pink Aeropostale T-shirt and black cargo shorts, and the other as possibly white, clean shaven with short hair, and wearing a Gators T-shirt.

Anyone with information can call the Ocala Police Department at 369-7000, Crime Line at 369-7061 or Crime Stoppers at 368-STOP, visit www.ocalacrimestoppers.com or text “ocalapd” and a tip to TIP411.

Man, 67, accused of exposing self

A man accused of exposing himself to an undercover police officer at a city park was arrested Wednesday and charged with exposure of sexual organs and possession of marijuana.

Members of the Ocala Police Department’s Special Deployment Unit were at Scott Springs Park at 2300 SW 24th Ave. when an officer saw Larry Joe Dambach, 67, with his pants down.

According to reports, Dambach pulled up his pants and told the officer they could talk at a picnic table, then took out a metal pipe and smoked some marijuana. Dambach said he was going to walk another trail and suggested the officer follow him. The officer did so and found Dambach exposing himself and asking for oral sex. Dambach was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail.

COMMUNITYLive bombing taking place this weekend

Navy training schedules indicate that live bombing will take place between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. today through Sunday at the Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest.

For noise complaints, call 1-800-874-5059.

Free training for caregivers

Savvy Caregiving is a six-week training program designed for caregivers who assist those with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Free training sessions are limited to 15 participants and take place:

n Mondays, June 24 through July 29, 1 to 3 p.m., On Top of the World, 8415 SW 80th St. Ocala,

United Way of Marion County will hold the sixth annual Day of Action on June 21 and will help at-risk mothers and babies by providing supplies.

People can help by donating items or money or volunteering at a sort-a-thon at 9 a.m. June 21.

Items needed include diapers, wipes, blankets and onesies.

For more information, visit www.uwmc.org or contact Faith Beard at 732-9696 or fbeard@uwmc.org.

Special adoption fees for felines

Marion County Animal Services has a number of adoptable felines and, in honor of Adopt-a-Shelter Cat Month, is offering special pricing.

Adopt one cat and bring home a second for half the adoption fee. The fee of $40 ($20 for second cat) includes spay/neuter surgery, county license, vaccines and microchip.

The cats can be seen from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays at 5701 SE 66th St., Ocala, or online at www.marioncountyfl.org/animalservices.htm

Outdoor sculpture competition

The city of Ocala is issuing a call to artists for the first Ocala Outdoor Sculpture Competition, open to artists age 18 and older.

Each artist may submit up to three works suitable for public outdoor display. The entry deadline is July 31.

Artists will compete for Best of Show, $2,000; Second Place, $1,000; Honorable Mention, $500; and People’s Choice, $500. The 10 sculptors whose work is chosen each will receive a $1,000 honoraria for transportation expenses to bring the art to Ocala.

The 10 will be on exhibit from Oct. 18 through Sept. 21, 2014.

For more information, visit www.ocalafl.org/outdoorsculpture.

Street banner applications

The Ocala Public Works Traffic Division will accept applications for the 2014 street banner lottery until Aug. 3. Reservations can only be made by nonprofit organizations.

Banners in the 1100 block of East Silver Springs Boulevard and the 1300 block of West Silver Springs Boulevard can be reserved for one week.

Applications can be obtained weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Public Works Traffic Division Office, 1805 NE 30th Ave., Building 300.

Electronic or faxed copies of the form can be obtained by calling 351-6733 or emailing mrodrigues@ocalafl.org.